Opinion | Puerility, Provocation and a Strain of Nihilism: 3 Writers on What Binds Trump and Musk
Frank Bruni, a contributing Opinion writer, hosted a written online conversation with Bethany McLean, an author of “The Smartest Guys in the Room,” and Nate Silver, the author of “On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything” and the newsletter Silver Bulletin, to discuss a fascinating dynamic in the new Trump administration.Frank Bruni: Bethany, Nate, we gather to ponder what is arguably, at this moment, the most consequential and combustible partnership in President Trump’s life.No, not him and Melania.
Not him and Mike Johnson.Him and his beloved (for now!) ambassador to Mars, Elon Musk.
What, in a nutshell, does their relationship tell us about Trump, his presidency and this moment in America?Bethany McLean: Musk is just one of the C.E.O.s who are racing to cater to Trump.It tells us that right now, in today’s America, no one knows what anyone really believes or stands for, other than money.
There are a lot of dangerous elements in this, both between C.E.O.s, between C.E.O.s and Trump, and between them and all of us.It’s nice to believe that unleashing growth benefits all of us, but can growth be unleashed? And if so, who does it benefit?Nate Silver: I saw a lot of criticism when Joe Biden invoked the term “oligarchy” in his farewell address — but the richest man in the world is now also one of the most politically powerful men in the world, if he wasn’t already.
And the optics of the inauguration made clear that other very rich men will also be dealt into the hand — so long as they play by Trump’s rules.However, it is not a completely one-sided deal.
The “tech bro” side winning the fight with the MAGA side over skilled immigration is significant.Bruni: So, Nate, what does Trump get in return — and will it come with headaches and grief he’s not anticipating? Will he regret his oligarchy and rue his bros?Silver: Trump gains a lot of financial resources, for one thing.Musk’s donations to Trump-backing super PACs will encoura...